Part pairing: Difference between revisions
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Part pairing is a practice in which manufacturers serialize individual components to effectively mandate the use of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and approved technicians for repairs. By monitoring the serial numbers associated with each component, device functionality can be disabled if a third-party part or non-approved repair is detected.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Definition of parts pairing |url=https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/parts-pairing |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=PCMag}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Khalid |first=Amrita |date=14 Nov 2023 |title=Right-to-repair advocates are asking the FTC for stronger rules |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/14/23961136/ifixit-and-pirg-petition-ftc-right-to-repair-rules |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=The Verge}}</ref> | Part pairing is a practice in which manufacturers serialize individual components to effectively mandate the use of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and approved technicians for repairs. By monitoring the serial numbers associated with each component, device functionality can be disabled if a third-party part or non-approved repair is detected.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Definition of parts pairing |url=https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/parts-pairing |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=PCMag |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251217174004/https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/parts-pairing |archive-date=17 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Khalid |first=Amrita |date=14 Nov 2023 |title=Right-to-repair advocates are asking the FTC for stronger rules |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/14/23961136/ifixit-and-pirg-petition-ftc-right-to-repair-rules |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=The Verge |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251216043233/https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/14/23961136/ifixit-and-pirg-petition-ftc-right-to-repair-rules |archive-date=16 Dec 2025}}</ref> | ||
==How it works== | ==How it works== | ||
Some components can contain a small device known as a microcontroller. These microcontrollers can store and communicate information between the component and the device's motherboard, including a unique serial number associated with the original component. If the motherboard receives an unrecognized serial number, such as from a replacement part, some devices are designed to disable certain functionality or display persistent error messages.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Greenlee |first=Lauren |date=17 Jan 2023 |title=How Parts Pairing Kills Independent Repair |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/69320/how-parts-pairing-kills-independent-repair |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=IFixit}}</ref> This can occur even if the replacement part is an identical and original component.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 Dec 2022 |title=Nouvelle plainte de HOP contre Apple pour obsolescence programmée et entraves à la réparation (New complaint from HOP against Apple for planned obsolescence and obstruction of repairs) |url=https://www.halteobsolescence.org/nouvelle-plainte-de-hop-contre-apple-pour-obsolescence-programmee-et-entraves-a-la-reparation/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=HOP}}</ref> | Some components can contain a small device known as a microcontroller. These microcontrollers can store and communicate information between the component and the device's motherboard, including a unique serial number associated with the original component. If the motherboard receives an unrecognized serial number, such as from a replacement part, some devices are designed to disable certain functionality or display persistent error messages.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Greenlee |first=Lauren |date=17 Jan 2023 |title=How Parts Pairing Kills Independent Repair |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/69320/how-parts-pairing-kills-independent-repair |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=IFixit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260221151001/https://www.ifixit.com/News/69320/how-parts-pairing-kills-independent-repair |archive-date=21 Feb 2026}}</ref> This can occur even if the replacement part is an identical and original component.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 Dec 2022 |title=Nouvelle plainte de HOP contre Apple pour obsolescence programmée et entraves à la réparation (New complaint from HOP against Apple for planned obsolescence and obstruction of repairs) |url=https://www.halteobsolescence.org/nouvelle-plainte-de-hop-contre-apple-pour-obsolescence-programmee-et-entraves-a-la-reparation/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=HOP |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251209041055/https://www.halteobsolescence.org/nouvelle-plainte-de-hop-contre-apple-pour-obsolescence-programmee-et-entraves-a-la-reparation/ |archive-date=9 Dec 2025}}</ref> | ||
Consumers are often encouraged to seek repairs directly from the manufacturer or approved technicians by limiting access to the tools, parts, and information necessary to avoid error messages or loss of functionality.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Stone |first=Maddie |date=30 Jan 2024 |title=Apple uses software to control how phones get fixed. Lawmakers are pushing back. |url=https://grist.org/technology/apple-uses-software-to-control-where-phones-get-fixed-lawmakers-are-pushing-back/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=Grist}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Mikolajczak |first=Chloé |date=6 Aug 2021 |title=Part pairing: a major threat to independent repair |url=https://repair.eu/news/part-pairing-a-major-threat-to-independent-repair/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=The Right to Repair Europe coalition}}</ref> | Consumers are often encouraged to seek repairs directly from the manufacturer or approved technicians by limiting access to the tools, parts, and information necessary to avoid error messages or loss of functionality.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Stone |first=Maddie |date=30 Jan 2024 |title=Apple uses software to control how phones get fixed. Lawmakers are pushing back. |url=https://grist.org/technology/apple-uses-software-to-control-where-phones-get-fixed-lawmakers-are-pushing-back/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=Grist |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251228040749/https://grist.org/technology/apple-uses-software-to-control-where-phones-get-fixed-lawmakers-are-pushing-back/ |archive-date=28 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Mikolajczak |first=Chloé |date=6 Aug 2021 |title=Part pairing: a major threat to independent repair |url=https://repair.eu/news/part-pairing-a-major-threat-to-independent-repair/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=The Right to Repair Europe coalition}}</ref> | ||
==Why it is a problem== | ==Why it is a problem== | ||
# Since replacement parts and unapproved repairs can cause the device to disable certain features, consumers are left with little choice but to have their devices repaired by the manufacturer, which is not only frustrating for consumers, but can often be much more expensive than if they had simply gone to an independent repair shop.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=St. John |first=Allen |date=7 May 2021 |title=Manufacturers Are Making Repairs Too Hard for Consumers, FTC Says |url=https://www.consumerreports.org/consumer-rights/manufacturers-are-making-repairs-too-hard-for-consumers-ftc-a1149984425/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=Consumer Reports}}</ref> | # Since replacement parts and unapproved repairs can cause the device to disable certain features, consumers are left with little choice but to have their devices repaired by the manufacturer, which is not only frustrating for consumers, but can often be much more expensive than if they had simply gone to an independent repair shop.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=St. John |first=Allen |date=7 May 2021 |title=Manufacturers Are Making Repairs Too Hard for Consumers, FTC Says |url=https://www.consumerreports.org/consumer-rights/manufacturers-are-making-repairs-too-hard-for-consumers-ftc-a1149984425/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=Consumer Reports |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251025213946/https://www.consumerreports.org/consumer-rights/manufacturers-are-making-repairs-too-hard-for-consumers-ftc-a1149984425/ |archive-date=25 Oct 2025}}</ref> | ||
# Part pairing also impacts independent repair shops, who find it difficult to retain customers and compete with manufacturers. Independent shops must order parts directly from the manufacturer for specific repairs, which can cause long wait times and inconvenience customers.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> | # Part pairing also impacts independent repair shops, who find it difficult to retain customers and compete with manufacturers. Independent shops must order parts directly from the manufacturer for specific repairs, which can cause long wait times and inconvenience customers.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> | ||
# Part Pairing can also have significant environmental ramifications. Barriers to repair and refurbishing can contribute to increased E-Waste and pollution.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 May 2023 |title=Plainte contre Apple : le Procureur de la République ouvre l’enquête (Complaint against Apple: the Public Prosecutor opens the investigation) |url=https://www.halteobsolescence.org/plainte-contre-apple-le-procureur-de-la-republique-ouvre-lenquete/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=HOP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 Mar 2022 |title=Why Refurbished Electronics Are the Key to Sustainable Technology |url=https://comprenew.org/refurbished-electronics-the-key-to-sustainable-technology/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=Comprenew}}</ref> | # Part Pairing can also have significant environmental ramifications. Barriers to repair and refurbishing can contribute to increased E-Waste and pollution.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 May 2023 |title=Plainte contre Apple : le Procureur de la République ouvre l’enquête (Complaint against Apple: the Public Prosecutor opens the investigation) |url=https://www.halteobsolescence.org/plainte-contre-apple-le-procureur-de-la-republique-ouvre-lenquete/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=HOP |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260112162829/https://www.halteobsolescence.org/plainte-contre-apple-le-procureur-de-la-republique-ouvre-lenquete/ |archive-date=12 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 Mar 2022 |title=Why Refurbished Electronics Are the Key to Sustainable Technology |url=https://comprenew.org/refurbished-electronics-the-key-to-sustainable-technology/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=Comprenew |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251212161959/https://comprenew.org/refurbished-electronics-the-key-to-sustainable-technology/ |archive-date=12 Dec 2025}}</ref> | ||
==Examples== | ==Examples== | ||
Some examples of part pairing include: | Some examples of part pairing include: | ||
* iPhone disabling features such as fingerprint scanning, FaceID, and battery health information; and displaying persistent error messages after repairs.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gallagher |first=William |date=13 Nov 2023 |title=Apple's iPhone parts pairing is making the company billions |url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/11/13/apples-iphone-parts-pairing-is-making-the-company-billions |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=Apple Insider}}</ref> | * iPhone disabling features such as fingerprint scanning, FaceID, and battery health information; and displaying persistent error messages after repairs.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gallagher |first=William |date=13 Nov 2023 |title=Apple's iPhone parts pairing is making the company billions |url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/11/13/apples-iphone-parts-pairing-is-making-the-company-billions |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=Apple Insider |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251221221148/https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/11/13/apples-iphone-parts-pairing-is-making-the-company-billions |archive-date=21 Dec 2025}}</ref> | ||
* Microsoft pairing the Xbox One's disk reader to its motherboard, meaning a broken disk drive must be repaired by Microsoft directly.<ref name=":1" /> | * Microsoft pairing the Xbox One's disk reader to its motherboard, meaning a broken disk drive must be repaired by Microsoft directly.<ref name=":1" /> | ||
* John Deere using part pairing to restrict farmers' ability to repair farm equipment. <ref>{{Cite news |last=Jitchotvisut |first=Janaki |date=22 Jan 2025 |title=The Feds Just Sued a Major OEM Over Right to Repair, Is It A Big Deal? |url=https://www.rideapart.com/features/748085/ftc-lawsuit-john-deere-repair/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=RideApart}}</ref> | * John Deere using part pairing to restrict farmers' ability to repair farm equipment. <ref>{{Cite news |last=Jitchotvisut |first=Janaki |date=22 Jan 2025 |title=The Feds Just Sued a Major OEM Over Right to Repair, Is It A Big Deal? |url=https://www.rideapart.com/features/748085/ftc-lawsuit-john-deere-repair/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=RideApart |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250912045325/https://www.rideapart.com/features/748085/ftc-lawsuit-john-deere-repair/ |archive-date=12 Sep 2025}}</ref> | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||